A New York judge on Monday issued a stern warning – but no jail time – to Boy George over his failure to do the community service required by his sentence on a drug charge.
"I'm not going to give you another chance," Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Anthony Ferrara told the London-born Boy George (real name: George O'Dowd), 45, reports the Associated Press. "If you don't do the community service, I'll make you a promise: You're going through that door," the jurist added, indicating the entrance to the jail cells.
In March, the former Culture Club singer pleaded guilty to third-degree false reporting of an incident. The charges stemmed from an Oct. 7, 2005, incident when police answered a call at his apartment and discovered 13 bags of cocaine. George was charged with possession; if he'd been convicted, he could have faced 15 years in prison.
Under his plea deal, Boy George was to enter a drug program in England and do five days of community service in Manhattan. He was also supposed to pay a $1,000 fine and a $160 surcharge, and avoid arrest for any reason during the next six months. But the community service didn't happen.
After leaving the courtroom the singer headed straight to the probation offices for his assignment. "I never minded doing the community service," he said en route.
His lawyer, Louis Freeman, said Ferrara's annoyance was "based on a misunderstanding" that his client was trying to avoid complying with the sentence.
As for what Boy George will be doing for his service, Freeman said, "He'll probably be raking leaves in Central Park, or something like that."
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